Explosives licence

Premises storing explosives (for example, fireworks and flares, air bag inflators) are required to be licenced.

This allows fireworks to be sold during the four seasonal occasions:

15 October to 10 November inclusive

26 December to 31 December inclusive

on the 1st day of the Chinese New Year and the 3 days immediately preceding it

on the day of Diwali and the 3 days immediately preceding it

To sell fireworks all year round a further £500 fireworks annual suppliers licence is required.

How to apply for a storage licence or firework annual suppliers licence

Download, complete and return the relevant application forms together with the fees. View the list of current fees here.

If you store less than 5kg Net Explosive Mass (NEM) of explosives, then there is no need to be licensed. The NEM is either 25% of the gross weight of the explosives or exact figure stated by the manufacturer or supplier. However, you will still need to hold a firework annual suppliers licence if you intend to sell fireworks all year round.

Only persons with "fixed" premises can be licensed, so fireworks cannot be sold at market stalls, car boot sales or other temporary sales points.

Licencing

Fireworks sold by retailers are generally the types of less powerful fireworks known as hazard type 4 (Hazprod code 1.4G). Croydon Council Licencing allows for storage of up to 250Kg (NEM) of type 4 without the need for separation distances, or up to 2,000kgs where suitable separation distances can be maintained.

We do not recommend the sale of “display” fireworks that require a minimum safe spectator distance of 25m to members of the public. These are hazard type 3 (Hazprod code 1.3G). If you intend to store and sell these then please contact Trading Standards for specific advice.

For quantities greater than 2000Kg (NEM) an application must be made to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). See the links below for an HSE application form.